Circuit making and breaking device



1942- s. A. MOORE 2,294,196

CIRCUIT MAKING AND BREAKING DEVICE Filed June 4, 1941 FIT'IELJIETiUTZj vPatented Aug. 25, 1942 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE The PrimeManufacturing Company,

Mil-

waukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application June 4, 1941,Serial No. 396,535

12 Claims.

This invention relates to circuit, making and breaking devices andrefers particularly to circuit making and breaking devices primarilyadapted for use in electric fence controllers.

In electric fences, especially alternating current fences wherein theelectromotive force for energizing the fence is taken from thecommercial supply lines, it is important that failure of the circuitinterrupter which periodically opens and closes the primary circuit ofthe energizing transformer will not result in the contacts remainingclosed.

If this happens, it results in the exceedingly dangerous condition of acontinuously charge-d fence wire. In many instances, such failure of thefence controller has resulted in the loss of human life. It istherefore, an object of this invention to provide a circuit making andbreaking device which is so designed and constructed that the contactswill not remain closed if the interrupter fails for any reasonwhatsoever.

Another prerequisite of the circuit making and breaking device in afence controller and also of other circuit making and breaking devicesis that the duration of contact closure and also the frequency of theclosure may be adjusted.

It is, therefore, another object of this invention to provide a circuitmaking and breaking device wherein adjustment of these factors isreadily effected.

Electric fence controllers have advanced to the stage where the cost ofthe mechanism is an important consideration. Controllers are now soldfor a price. Consequently, every effort must be made to keep themanufacturing cost of its component parts down to a minimum.

With this objective in view, the present invention has as another of itsobjects the provision of a circuit making and breaking device which isextremely simple in design and construction and which lends itselfreadily to production at a very low cost.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafterdescribed, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, itbeing understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of theherein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of theclaims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of thephysical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with thebest mode so far devised for the practical application of the principlesthereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a circuit making and breaking deviceconstructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken through Figure 1 on the planeof the line 22; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail plan View illustrating the operation ofthe device.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawing in which likenumerals indicate like parts, the numeral 5 designates a base ofsuitable insulating material upon which a switch designated gene-rallyby the numeral 6 is mounted. If desired the base may serve as one wallof a housing within which the switch and its actuating mechanism areenclosed.

The switch comprises a stationary contact I and a movable contact 8.Suitable terminals are provided for the contacts by which the switch maybe connected in the circuit to be controlled. The stationary contact isyieldingly held in its fixed position by a spring 9 and. the movablecontact is biased to a switch open position by means of a torsion springIf].

The specific design and construction of the switch forms no part of thisinvention as any switch which is biased to its open position and capableof momentary closure will sufiice.

The movable contact of the switch has a curved arm or bar H connectedthereto in such a way that its depression effects closure of the switch.

The arm I I is so positioned that the are formed by its curvature issubstantially concentric to the axis of a shaft I2. The shaft [2 passesthrough the base 6 and at the front face of the base mounts a carrier13. Any suitable means may be provided for continuously revolving theshaft as for instance a synchronous motor indicated generally by thenumeral M which may be supported from the base by studs l5.

While the carrier I3 is shown in the form of a disc, its circular shapeis of no consequence. The function of the carrier, as will be apparent,is that of a crank. To this end it has a pivot 18 eccentrically mountedthereon. This pivot forms the pin of the crank so that upon revolutionof the carrier by the shaft [2 the pin l6 and consequently, an actuatorI! mounted thereon is recurrently carried around a defined path.

The actuator l1 consists of a relatively heavy cross bar mediallypivoted on the pin 16 and a cylindrical plate or disc [8 on its medialportion concentric to its pivotal mounting. A spiral spring l9 overlyingthe disc l8 has its inner end carrier.

anchored to the pin [6 as at 2% and its outer end fixed to the disc l8as at 2| to bias the actuator to a retracted position defined by a stop22 on the A buffer spring 23 seated in a well in the actuator ispreferably provided to cushion the engagement of the actuator with thestop.

At one end the actuator carries a tip 24'. of fibre or other suitableinsulating material. It is this part of the actuator which engages thecurved arm or switch closing part H during operation of the circuitbreaker.

In the normal retracted position of the actuator to which it is biasedby the spring I9 and which, as stated, is defined by the stop 22, theextremity of the tip 2 travels in an orbit indicated by the broken line25. This'orbit as will be seen from Figure 3 coincides with thecurvature of the arm or switch closing part H.

Hence, if the actuator were to remain in this retracted position, itwould be ineffective to close the switch. It is to be observed, however,that the distance from the pivot of the actuator to the extremity of itstip 24 added to the length of the crank arm (the distance from theactuator pivot to the axis of the shaft I2) is sufficient to project thetip 24 beyondthe orbit 25. Consequently, if the actuator is in radialalignment with the crank arm axis at the time the crank faces the arm Has indicated in the dotted line position A in Figure 3, closure of theswitch results.

Such disposition of the actuator is momentarily effected during eachrevolution of the carrier by a stop 26 mounted on the base 5. This stopis so positioned with relation to the orbit 25 and the position of theswitch closing arm Ii that as the actuator is moved along by thecarrier, its tip engages the stop as shown in Figure 1. The carrier, ofcourse, continues to rotate, but the tip of the actuator is restrainedby the stop so that the biasing spring 89 is wound up to increase itstension.

As the carrier continues to move, it pulls the tip of the actuator awayfrom the stop 26 until at a position shown in full lines in Figure 3 theactuator is freed from the stop. Thereupon its biasing spring i9 snapsthe actuator back to its retracted position shown in the dotted lineposition B in Figure 3. During the passage of the actuator from itsposition at which it leaves the stop 26 to its retracted position itstip 24 wipes against the arm I l to momentarily close the contacts.

It will be readily apparent that several factors cooperate to determinethe duration of switch closure. The speed of the carrier, the length ofthe arm H, the strength of the biasing spring I9 and the inertia of theactuator all contribute in determining this period. In addition, thestop 26 is adjustably mounted on the base so that its location may bevaried. This enables adjust ment of the period of switch closure afterthe other factors have been set. 7

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art thatthis invention provides a circuit making and breaking device which willnot fail in the circuit closing position, and that while admirablysuited for use in electric fence controllers the invention is notlimited thereto. Any condition requiring continuous circuit making andbreaking coupled with assurance against accidental continued closure isembraced by this invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

prising: a switch biased to a normally open position; an actuator formomentarily closin the switch; a carrier for the actuator movable alonga defined path past the switch; means biasing the actuator to aretracted position at which it would be ineffective to close the switchas it is traversed past the switch by the carrier; and stop means actingon the actuator as it approaches the switch for moving the actuator outof its retracted position to increase the tension in its biasing means,said stop means releasing the actuator in time to have it moved by itsbiasing means through a switch closing motion which momentarily closesthe switch.

2. A circuit making and breaking device comprising: a switch biased to anormally open position; an actuator for momentarily closing the 1. Acircuit making and breaking device comswitch; means for moving theactuator along a defined path past the switch; means biasing theactuator to a position at which it would be ineffective to close thswitch as it is moved past the switch; and means transiently operable onthe actuator to cause the same to be moved by its biasing means in aswitch closing motion as it moves past the switch to thereby momentarilyclose th switch.

3. A circuit making and breaking device comprising: a carrierconstrained to motion in a defined path; a movable switch actuator onthe carrier; means biasing said switch actuator to a predeterminedposition with relation to its carrier with a part thereof moving along adefined path; a normally open switch having a part disposed adjacent tosaid path of the actuator part and engageable by the actuator partwhenever said actuator part projects beyond its said path; and means formomentarily projecting said actuator part beyond its path of movement toengage the switch part and effect momentary closure thereof as theactuator is carried past the switch.

4. A circuit making and breaking device comprising: a normally openswitch; a carrier movable in a defined path adjacent to the switch; aswitch actuator carried thereby and biased to a position at which itwould be ineffective to close the switch as it moves therepast butmovable to a position operable to close the switch; and a stop sopositioned with relation to said path of th carrier as to engage anddetain the switch actuator and thereby store energy in its biasing meanswhich upon release of the actuator moves the same through a switchclosing motion to momentarily close the switch, said actuator beingweighted so that the inertia of the actuator has a controlling effectupon the speed at which the actuator moves toclose the switch.

5. A circuit making and breaking device comprising: a normally openswitch having a part engageable by an actuator to close the switch; acarrier rotatable about a fixed axis; a switch actuator; a pivoteccentrically mounted on the carrier and having the actuator pivotallymounted thereon; a spring biasing the actuator to a retracted positionat which its switch contacting part moves in an orbit clear of saidmovable switch part; and stop means for detaining the actuator while itscarrier continues to move to therebystore up energy in the biasingspring which upon release of the actuator from the top means swingstheactuator outwardly beyond said orbit, said stop means being solocated with relation to the switch that the outward swing of theactuator beyond its normal orbit occurs in time to engage the movableswitch part and elfect momentary closure of the switch.

3. A circuit making and breaking device comlengthening the period ofengagement thereof prising: a normally open switch having a part withsaid actuator. engageable by an actuator to close the switch; 9. Acircuit making and breaking device coma carrier rotatable about a fixedaxis; a switch prising: a normally open switch having a part actuator; apivot eccentrically mounted on the 5 normally occupying a predeterminedposition carrier and having the actuator pivotally mountfrom which it ismovable to efiect closure of the ed thereon; a spring biasing theactuator to a switch, said part having a predetermined length; retractedposition at which its switch contacting an actuator engageable with saidpart to effect part moves in an orbit clear of said movable closure ofthe switch; means moving said actuswitch part; and stop means fordetaining the ator along a defined path; means biasing the acactuatorwhile it carrier continues to mov to tuator to a normally retractedposition clear of thereb store up energy in the biasing s rin said w t pd a p in the p of the which upon release of the actuator from the stopswitch actuator for detaining the same as it is means swings theactuator outwardly beyond said ove alon sa pa t a e th same to moveorbit, said stop means being so located with reto a Position from Whichthe biasing means S p lation to th switch that th outwa d swing of theactuator back to its retracted position and in the actuator beyond itsnormal orbit occurs in doing so, Carries the actuator y nd ts normaltime to engage the movable switch art and effect retracted position; s sp a s being s 10- momentary closu of th wit h id bl cated with relationto the switch that the actuswitch part having a portion extending alongator in snapping back to its retracted position the normal orbit of thactuator to increase the Wipes egaille the Switch Closing p t0 mmenduration of switch closure. y o e the Switch.

'7. A circuit making and breaking device com- In a cu t ak ng andbreaking device: prising: a normally open switch having a part thecombination with a normally open switch engageable by an actuator toclose the switch; a 5 having a part adapted to be depressed to eileetcarrier rotatable about a fixed axis; a switch closure of the switch, ofmeans f periodically actuator; a pivot eccentrically mounted on the andmomentarily depressing Said p o fie t carrier and having the actuatorpivotally mountmomentary Closure of the Switch Comprising, a ed thereon;a spring biasing the actuator to a driven shaft; a crank 0n the S t; anctu to retracted position at which its switch contacting pivoted 0n thep 0f e r k to be C rried part moves in an orbit clear of said movablealong an it ms ri in he sh f a prin switch part; and stop means fordetaining the biasing the actuator to a retracted position at anactuator while its carrier continues to move to angle to the Crank t owa d at Which its outer thereby store up energy in the biasing spring endwill not reach the switch part, said outer end which upon release of theactuator from the 0f the aetllater being p d o t e Cente Of stop meansswings the actuator outwardly bethe Crank p a distance which When addedto yond said orbit, said stop means being so located the Crank throw issufficient to dispose the end with relation to the switch that theoutward 0f the actuator ey nd s normal orbit to deswing of the actuatorbeyond its normal orbit press the Switch part; and means effectingoccurs in time to engage the movable switch Swinging motion of theeetllatel" On its DiVOt part and effect momentary closure of the switch,through a dead center p o in ia a said actuator having sufiicient weightto constiment With the Crank t ow whenever the crank tute an inertiamember having a controlling efpasses Said Switch P to thllS momentarilyfect upon the rate of motion of the actuator in feet Closure of the W tresponse to its biasing spring so that the dura- In a Circuit making andbreaking v tion of switch closure is determined at least parthecombination with a m y p n sw tch ti ll by th Weight of th actuator.having a part adapted to be depressed to effect 8. A circuit making andbreaking device com- Closure of the w t f means f r p d a y prising: anormally open switch having a part and momentarily depressing S d p to eect engageable by an actuator to close the switch; momentary closure fth swi comprising, a a carrier rotatable about a fixed axis; a switchdriven h a nk on the sh an c ua or actuator; a pivot eccentricallymounted on the pivoted 0n the p 0f the Crank to be Carried along carrierand having the actuator pivotally an orbit circumscribing the shaft; aspring biasmounted thereon; a spring biasing the actuator g the actuatoro a letraeted position at a to a retracted position at which its switchconangle to the crank throw and at which its outer tacting part moves inan orbit clear of said end will not reach the switch part, said outerend movable switch part; and stop means for detainof the actuator beingspaced from the center of ing the actuator while its carrier continuesto he C ank p n a distance which when added to move to thereby store upenergy in the biasing the crank throw is sufficient to dispose the endof spring which upon release of the actuator from 0 the actuator beyondits normal orbit to depress the stop means swings the actuator outwardlythe switch part; and stop means in the path of beyond said orbit, saidstop means beingso lothe outer end portion of the actuator to engagecated with relation to the switch that the outand detain the same as theactuator is carried ward swing of the actuator beyond its normal alongby the crank and thereby increase the orbit occurs in time to engage themovable tension on its biasing spring which upon release switch part andeffect momentary closure of the of the actuator from the stop meansswings the switch, said actuator having sufiicient weight to actuatorthrough a fully extended position and constitute an inertia memberhaving a controlback to its retracted position, and said stop means lingeffect upon the rate of motion of the actubeing so located with relationto the depressible ator in response to its biasing spring so that theswitch part that the swinging of the actuator to duration of switchclosure is determined at least and past its fully extended positionoccurs when partially by the weight of the actuator and the the crankarm faces the depressible switch part movable switch part extendingalong the normal to thus efiect momentary closure of the switch.

orbit of the switch actuator for a substantial dis- 12. In a circuitmaking and breaking device: tance to increase the period of switchclosure by the combination with a normally open switch having a partadapted to be depressed to effect closure of the switch, of means forperiodically and momentarily depressing said part to effect momentaryclosure of the switch comprising, a driven shaft; a crank on the shaft;an actuator pivoted on the pin of the crank to be carried along an orbitcircumscribing the shaft; a spring biasing the actuator to a retractedposition at an angle to the crank throw and at which its outer end willnot reach the switch part, said outer end of the actuator being spacedfrom the center of the crank pin a distance which when added to thecrank throw is sufficient to dispose the end of the actuator beyond itsnormal orbit to depress the switch part; and stop means in the path ofthe outer end portion of the actuator to engage and detain the same asthe actuator is carried along by the crank and thereby increase thetension on its biasing spring which upon release of the actuator fromthe stop means swings the actuator through a fully extended position andback to its retracted position, and said stop means being so locatedwith relation to the depressible switch part that the swinging of theactuator to and past its fully extended position occurs when the crankarm faces the depressible switch part to thus effect momentary closureof the switch and said actuator being weighted to increase its inertiaand thus retard its return to retracted position.

SIDNEY A. MOORE.

